Improvement in plug-tobacco



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

THOMAS C. WILLIAMS, on, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IM PRO V EM ENT IN. PLUG-TOBACCO.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,625, dated September 1, 1874; application filed May 19, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. WILLIAMS, at Richmond, in the county of Henrieo and State of Virginia, have invented an Improved Article of Plug Chewing-Tobacco; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof: i I

My improved plug chewing-tobacco consists V in blocks or plugs cut or sawed flatwise across the leaves and the grain or fibers of the leaves of tobacco from thick blocks or sheets previously pressed to the required compactness, in a powerful press under heavy hydraulic or other sufficient pressure, so that the surfaces thereof, which show the end edges of theleaves, are greater than the other surfaces. The blocks or plugs are generally of rectangular shape], although I do not limit. my invention to that special form. They are not wrapped in wrappers of tobacco leaves and then pressed but they may be put up in paper and tin-foil, or. otherwise protected from the atmosphere after preparation..

Thus prepared, the improved plug or'block tobacco possesses still other important advantages' over the f ordinary plugtobacco. Particles are easily severed from the plugs for chewing without cutting vor biting, the edges of the leaves are always exposed to the view, showing their quality, the plugs are made thick enough to prevent essential deterioration of the tobacco by exposure to the air without lessening the other advantages, and the blocks or plugs present a ve'ry smooth, regular, shapely, and handsome appearance.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Blocks or plugs of tobacco, severed flatwise across the leaves and the fibers or grain of the leaves from previously pressed sheets orblocks of sufiieient thickness to produce'the requisite width of plugs, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

THOS. o. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses: 7 (Tue. P. WoRn, G. H. -J ONES. 

